Latch device for the doors of steam-shovels, dredges, and the like.



J. L. WATSON. LATCH DEVICE FOR THE DOORS 0F STEAM SHOVIELS DREDGES, ANDTHE LIKE. APPLlCATlON FILED JUNE 23. 1915.

l 179,247. 1 Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

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fire ail W0 3 'J.L.WATSON. LATCH DEVICE FOR THE DOORS 0F STEAM SHOVELS,DREDGES, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE-23,1915.

PatentedApr. 11, 1916.

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TE STATES PATENT orno.

JOSEPH L. WATSON, F VALENTINE, TEXAS.

LATCH DEVICE FOR THE DOORS OF STEAM-SI-IOVELS, DREDGES, AND THE LIKE.

, To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Josnrn .L. lVATsoN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Valentine,in the county ofJeff Davis and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Latch Devices for the Doors of Steam-Shovels, Dredges, and the like,of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to latch mechanism for the doors of steam shovels,dredge dippers, or the like, and more particularly to the class oftripping latches.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter wherein the door of a steam shovel, dredge dipper, or thelike, will be positively locked when swinging to closed position by itsown weight, and which will be positively released for the dumping of theload in the shovel, dipper, or the like.

Another object of the invention. is the provision of a device of thischaracter which is simple in construction, positive in action, strong,durable, easy to operate, and not likely to get out of order, and thewearing parts of which may be readily renewed.

With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists in the construction, com-- bination and arrangementof parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the doorof a steam shovel or dredge dipper provided with the tripping deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a rear edgeelevation. Figs. 3, 4; and 5 are detail views.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 designates the lower portion ofthe door of a steam shovel or dredge dipper which, when the shovel ordipper is in use for digging, closes by its own weight, the door beingsupported upon the arms 2 of the hinges swingingly connecting it to thebody of the shovel or dipper. Mounted centrally on the outer face of thedoorway are spaced guides 1 in which is slidably fitted a latch bolt 5adapted for locking engagement in the usual keeper depending from thebottom front edge of the body of the said shovel or dipper for lockingthe door in closed position. The

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

Application filed June 23, 1915. Serial No. 35,824.

upper end of the latch bolt 5 is formed with a reduced narrow portion 6provided with a slot 7, and this reduced or narrowed portion upon thedoor 1, the said screw 11 being fitted with clamping nuts 13 providedtherefor. The arms 9 of the latch lever 8 are arranged astride of thenarrowed or reduced portion 6 of the bolt and are pivotally connectedthereto by a pivot 14 which passes through and operates in the slot 7 ofthe said bolt.

Supported b-y'the latch lever 8 is a trip lever 15, the same beingmounted upon a plvot 16 which is engaged in the arms 9 of the said latchlever, and this trip lever is formed with an'upstanding angular extenson 17 at its pivoted end, and is also provided with an up-turned arm 18at its free end. A trip rope or chain 19 is attached to said arm 18.

Secured between the arms 9 of the latch lever 8 at its free end is ablock'20'which is preferably made from hardened steel to withstand wear,and isfastened in position by means of a cotter key 21, the upper face22 of the said block being inclined in correspondence with a notch 23 inthe free upper corner of the latch lever.

A dog 24 is pivotally mounted at 25 in a bracket 26 which is secured onthe door, and this dog has a downwardly extending arm 27 which isengaged by a spring 28 held in place by a pin 28 fixed in the bracket26, the function of the spring being to cause the shoulder 29 of the dog24 to engage the notch 23 in the latch lever Sand the inclined upperface 22 of the die, and hence lock the said latch lever and cause thebolt 5 to lock the door when the same is in closed position. The bracket26 forms a stop for both the free end of the latch lever 8 and the dog24, as will be apparent.

A push block 30 is mounted on the latch lever 8 and is engaged by theextension 17 of the trip lever, said extension being passed through anopening in the said push block, which is held engaged therewith throughthe medium of a cross pin 30. When the trip lever is operated by meansof the rope or chain 19 it moves the push block 30 outwardly, causingthe same to disengage the dog from the latch lever 8, as will be understood, this occurring when the dipper or shovel is in dumplng posltion,and hence permitting the raising of said latch lever to of the bolt 16which also passes through the latch lever and the trip lever forconnecting the same together. To this clevis 32 is connected a pullmember 34 for the operation of the tripping latch.

Having thus described my invention I claim 1. In tripping devices of theclass described the combination of a latch bolt, a latch lever tooperate the bolt, a dog to engage the latch lever a trip lever pivotallymounted in the latch lever and a push block mounted on the latch leverand actuated by the trip lever to disengage the dog.

2. In tripping devices of the class described the combination of a bolt,a latch lever to operate the bolt and adjustably connected thereto, anadjustable pivot for the latch lever, a dog to engage the latch leverand a tripping lever carried by the latch lever and arranged todisengage the dog.

3. In tripping devices of the class described the combination with abolt, of a latch lever connected to the bolt and having a notch on itsupper side at one end, a cletachable block in said end of the latchlever and having a face in correspondence with that of the'notch, a dogto engage said notch and a trip lever carried by the latch lever andarranged to disengage the dog.

4. In tripping devices of the class described, a latch lever, a stop forthe latch lever, a dog pivotally mounted in the stop and arranged toengage the latch lever and a trip lever carried by the latch lever andarranged to disengage the dog.

In tripping devices of the class described, the combination with a bolt,of a U-shaped latch lever connected to the bolt and having a notch onits upper side at one end, a detachable block in said end of the latchlever and having a face in correspondence with that of the notch, a dogto engage said notch, and a trip lever carried by the latch lever andarranged to disengage the dog, and anti-friction rollers working againstthe bolt.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH L. WVATSON.

WVitnesses:

E. D. S'rEeAiv, W. B. PHELPS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

